‘Two or three’ suspects apply for release with ankle monitors

Around “two or three” suspects who are jailed pending the outcome of their trial have filed applications seeking to be released from detention with ankle monitors, says the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO).

On Wednesday, the PGO announced the establishment of monitoring mechanism where individuals detained indefinitely can get released with ankle monitors if they meet certain requirements.

A spokesperson from the PGO told Sun on Saturday that the agency received “two or three” applications on Thursday.

However, no suspects have been released as of yet.

According to the PGO, suspects will only be released if they pass a risk assessment by the police.

“Therefore, it may take some time yet before individuals are released. But we have opened applications now. And we have been receiving applications,” said the spokesperson.

The monitoring mechanism seeks to address the issue of multiple suspects who are held in jail pending the outcome of trial, which sometimes stretch on for years.

According to the annual report published by the PGO in March, there are four suspects counting their sixth year in jail while awaiting trial, eight counting their fifth year, and 22 more who are counting their fourth year.

During his 2023 presidential campaign, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had pledged to resolve the issue of indefinite detentions. And in March 2024, he said the administration would make legal reforms towards that end.